WELCOME TO THE OFFICIAL BLOG for La Pétanque Marinière in San Rafael, California. LPM has been an active Marinpétanqueclub since 1972 and affiliated with theFédération of Pétanque USA, since 1975. We welcome people of all abilities, ages and nationalities to come and enjoy pétanque with us.
The Pierre Joske Courts are located on Civic Center drive in San Rafael.(click for directions). Casual games are played every Thursday, Saturday and Sunday from about 1 pm. Tournament play is usually held on the second Sunday of every month.
Please consult the links on the sidebar to the right for more information on clubs in the bay area, nationally and world wide.
If you would like to play but haven't any boules, please contact our President, Christine Cragg. They can bring some for you to use, as well as introduce you to the basic skills and techniques of pétanque. In addition, if you are looking to purchase boules but are unsure as to which size and weight are right for you, we have a range of different examples from which to choose.
Editor’s Note: We thank Dave Scott for his willingness to allow us to post his touching tribute to local musician Dan Voll who died suddenly on January 22. Although we have seen many personal responses mourning the loss of Dan, we believe Dave produced a wonderful heartfelt tribute to a well respected musician and friend.
early monday morning the music died on amelia island.
DAN VOLL
A long long time ago I can still remember how That music used to make me smile And I knew if I had my chance That I could make those people dance And maybe they’d be happy for a while
But January made me shiver With every paper I’d deliver Bad news on the doorstep I couldn’t take one more step
I can’t remember if I cried When I read about his widowed bride Something touched me deep inside The day the music died So Reprinted with permission from Dave Scott
Bye, bye Miss American Pie Drove my Chevy to the levee but the levee was dry And them good ole boys were drinking whiskey and rye Singin’ this’ll be the day that I die This’ll be the day that I die
— Don McLean
Popular local musician, my friend, and friend to so many more, Dan Voll (60), passed away following a stroke suffered almost three weeks ago.
A native of Baraboo, Wisconsin, Dan moved to Amelia Island in 2010 and immediately picked, sang, grinned and charmed his way into the hearts of locals and visitors. He was quickly offered a regular Friday evening slot at downtown Fernandina Beach’s Green Turtle where he, bassist/vocalist Michelle Anders, and drummer/vocalist Nico Findeisen, became regular performers with an always enthusiastic standing room only audience.
As word of this incredibly talented guitarist’s talent spread, he was in demand by every musical venue on the island including a regular Tuesday evening slot at PJD’s Beer & Wine Garden, Sunday evenings with Michelle on the Salty Pelican’s balcony, Wednesday’s at the now shuttered Alley Cat, regular performances at Sliders, The Surf, Ritz Carlton, Amelia River Cruises sunset sailings, David’s, Sandy Bottoms/Sandbar, the Omni Plantation Resort, Falcon’s Nest, The Patio and many more. He also performed with the popular local Beech Street Blues Band, and appeared many times at the local farmer’s market, the annual Sounds on Centre sessions in downtown Fernandina Beach as well as many other local events and concerts. He was in huge demand outside of his island home as well with numerous requests to perform at venues as far ranging as New York and California.
Dan & Michelle at the Green Turtle
He may have been the best guitarist in northeast Florida as his exceptional talent drew praise from professional musicians as well as appreciative audiences. He combined that extraordinary skill with an “Aw shucks” stage presence that made every person in the audience feel he was singing directly to them. Without missing a beat he would call out audience members names, sing one of his many versions of happy birthday to them, or point to someone in the audience and say “this one’s for you (name)” and then break into a song they had requested days ago or through an email to him. Dan’s versatility was obvious as he effortlessly blended genres ranging from rock, pop and blues to jazz, country and Latin music.
He sported a dry wit and an unassuming, easy-going nature that brought out the best in his audiences and those that were fortunate enough to be called his friend. He was free with praise for those close to him and if he disliked anyone he kept that to himself, as none of those that knew him well can recall him uttering a harsh word about anyone, a rare quality indeed. He was rarely seen — indoors or out — without his trademark straw fedora and could be spotted often biking around the island.
Dan began playing guitar when he was nine, studied in Los Angeles with recording artist Ted Greene and is the recipient of a number of music awards. He happily transferred his guitar playing skills by teaching local primary school-age pupils and performed many times for grateful crowds at the island’s two senior facilities.
His last performance was with the drummer/vocalist Les DeMerle, singer Bonnie Eisele and keyboard player Doug Matthews on New Year’s Eve at the Amelia Island Club.
In an article in Jacksonville’s “First Coast Magazine” last year Dan summed up his career saying that his self-image and objectives have evolved with age and experience. “Originally, I wanted to be an ‘important’ guitar player. Now I just want to make someone smile,” he said. He said he wanted his music to “make everybody feel like somebody, at least for a little while.” He accomplished that and more. On Tuesday Fernandina Beach Mayor Johnny “Sunbeam” Miller and Dan’s close friend, Pajamadave Voorhees, lowered the flag flying in front of the town’s marina to half mast to honor one of the island’s most beloved residents.
Following the airplane crash that took the lives of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and J.P. Richardson (the “Big Bopper”) in 1959 many of us listened to the words to Don McLean’s song “American Pie” and thought we understood what he meant. However, when the words are put together with pictures and film clips the song takes on a new meaning for those of us that knew Dan, and with his passing the song may be even more fitting. Watch the video here and judge for yourself: http://youtu.be/VhX3b1h7GQw
Dan is survived by his immediate family in Wisconsin including his Mother Shirley Churchill Voss, brother Jeff Voll, sister-in-law Cheryl, sister Lisa Johnson and niece Ashley Voll, as well as girl friend Donna Carine, close friends PajamaDave Voorhees, Zan Maddox, Susan and Flip Gallion, Jeff Malone, “Shel” Anders and many, many more.
A celebration of his life will be planned to honor this extraordinary man and details will be announced as they become available.
I hope this email finds most of you in continued safety and perhaps by now, in your own homes with your families.
Due to the ongoing fires and the very unhealthy air quality, the Board has decided to postpone this Sunday's Oktoberfest tournament. We are hoping to reschedule it to next month, a "Novemberfest," of sorts. The Board will be meeting this Thursday and a rescheduled date will be decided and announced to you by the end of this week.
Looking forward to seeing all of you soon on the pétanque courts in our beautiful hometown.
Services for Marc will be held on Saturday October 7th at 1:00 PM at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church; 1180 Lynwood Drive, Novato, CA. Immediately following, there will be a celebration of his life at the La Pétanque Marinière Club Terrain – 2 Civic Center Dr. San Rafael, CA
The Rose City Open (RCO) registration is now open. And an early bird discount on the fee is being offered. We have already received a number of registrations from last year's participants. And we are hoping to make this year's tournament an even greater success.
A message from La Boule d'Or President, Jack McKinnon:
This Saturday March 18th 1:00pm, at the Pétanque courts just west of Spreckles lake between the Bison paddock and 39th Ave. in Golden Gate Park. Potluck theme * Play * Eat * Celebrate * Bring a friend or anyone who might be interested in playing pétanque. We have some extra boules. Note: This is not a tournament, just friendly play. Hopefully there will be tournaments coming later this year as we get organized. See you there!
The last half of the 'Home and Home' is March 19 to be played in Marin.
Registration is $5.00 per player.
Only 4 triples teams per club will be allowed.
Team registration is to be made by email - to me at this address.
LPM Team members must be licensed through Marin.
Registration for the March 19 event will open on Monday, March 13, 9AM.
Please read the attached flyer. It describes registration requirements as well as the rules of the event. If you are interested in playing, put together a team and have one of the members send the team names to marin.petanque@gmail.com.
The first four teams, in order of their registration, will be taken. Any teams that enter after our four-team quota is filled, will be put on a waiting list for potential dropouts that might occur for unexpected reasons.
LPM has a contract with The County of Marin to use the park.
The County maintenance crews have started cleaning the courts.
The County is putting out a bid for contractors to do the first part of the project which will be the fencing.
LPM needs to raise $30,000 for the first phase. We have all enjoyed many hours of friendship, sport, and picnics on our pétanque courts and hope you will consider to do what you can, by donating to the project. We received our first donation of $5000 from Charlie Davantes. Thank you!!!! You don’t have to give that much, unless you can, then please do! Everything is appreciated and will help make this happen. Please fill out the donation sheet and send it back as soon as possible. The donation is tax deductible.
Thursday has become a wonderful day to play pétanque in San Rafael. The weather has generally been very nice, and the people who regularly attend, are equally enjoyable with whom to play.
If you find yourself near the courts between 12:30 and 4:00 on a Thursday afternoon, stop by and join us!
The Singles Tournament has been rescheduled: It will now be held on
Saturday, October 29th.
If you are able to make the new date, I will mark you as registered.
If you can not, let me know and I will shred your check (or return it voided if you wish).
Note: I know this falls on the rain date for Sacramento's rescheduled 6Ball Challenge - but it is the only weekend we can pull it off. All we can do is hope for a beautiful, sunny weekend.
